First impressions of Africa

I flew from AMS to Kilimanjaro, near Arusha in Tanzania. Arusha is known as the center of Africa, as it is located on the main road half-way between Cairo and Cape Town. It is also the Safari capital of world, as it is located near the Serengeti, as well as many other national parks. Finally, it is very close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa and tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Arusha is right next to Mount Meru, which is overshadowed by Kili, but equally beautiful and impressive, as well as a much harder climb. I intend to climb Kili by the end of my time here.

Kili airport is rather small and simple, but clean and rather organized. When the customs officer asked where I was going, I responded Ngaramtoni, where I will live for close to two months. He asked me if I had been there before, and when I told him that I had not, he laughed hysterically and wished me good luck... His reaction did not increase my confidence one bit...

After picking up my backpack, I was met by John, the asst-manager of Mondo Challenge in Tanzania. His warm smile and fluency in English reassured me and I immediately had blind trust in him. (I've been blindly trusting many strangers throughout my travel so far, and it has not yet backfired.) He suggested that I obtain some Tanzanian shillings at the change office. The notes here are quite colourful, but completely trashed and only holding together with dirt. (Amber's joke, a lovely girl from Saskatchewan teaching English in my village for 4 months! (she came here on her own, quite brave...))

I was taken to the Center House, a convent/guest house, but only had time to drop my bag I was off again to a good-bye party for another Canadian volunteer. This is where I got my first taste of African food, and it is mostly delicious... A lot of rice, beans, ugali (like couscous) To my surprise, everyone, young and old, listens and dances to hip-hop around here.

After a few Kilimanjaro beers, I was taken back to my hotel for a restful night under the mosquito net.